This policy relates the position of the College on the installation and funding of computer software in academic computing labs.

II. GENERAL

Fort Lewis College provides a standard set of software for general use by Faculty, Staff and Students. Many other discipline specific software packages are installed in academic computing labs and made available to the all Faculty, Staff and Students. Managing the number of packages installed is critical to the smooth operation of the labs. No software packages will be installed on the network without long term funding or an expiration date. In order to provide a consistent working environment, three windows of opportunity for software installations will be established. All software has to be compatible with the current operating system. It is necessary to provide guidelines for software purchases and installation in order to efficiently and fairly utilize resources for all departments.

Therefore, it is the policy of Fort Lewis College that:

1. A standard set of software for general use will be established and maintained by Computing and Telecommunications. Software will be added to this list in consultation with the Information Technology Committee (ITC). This software is funded centrally.

2. A limited amount of freeware will be allowed with a one-year expiration date. The requestor will have the ability to extend the expiration for one year.

3. Some software is discipline specific, i.e. used in the curriculum of a specific department or multiple departments. Such software will be assigned a three-year expiration, which is renewable if the software is upgraded. The appropriate dean or deans in combination fund this software.

4. The following software installation request deadlines apply. For fall, installation requests should be in by August 1. For winter, installation request should be in by December 1. For summer, installation request should be in by April 1. Software is requested to be added to the lab image by filling out an installation request form.

5. All software must be compatible with the current operating system in the computer labs.